A wildly popular downtown Raleigh beer garden expands to North Hills
One of the most popular brewery openings since the pandemic will expand to Raleigh’s North Hills next year.
The beer garden and brewery Standard Beer + Food will open a new location in the North Hills’ Innovation District later this year. This new Standard Beer will include a large 5,600 square foot indoor space and a sprawling 15,000 square foot outdoor patio — the largest open air space in all of North Hills.
“We are excited to bring the essence of Standard to a new community as we open our second location in the vibrant North Hills,” said Cov DeRamus, co-owner of Standard Beer + Food in a release. “(North Hills Innovation District) embodies the spirit of innovation and community, aligning perfectly with our commitment to providing a unique beer and food experience. We look forward to becoming an integral part of the North Hills landscape, fostering connections, and creating memorable moments for our guests. This expansion marks a new chapter for Standard, and we are eager to contribute to the rich tapestry of culinary excellence in this dynamic neighborhood.”
The new Standard Beer + Food will likely open a year from now, DeRamus said, looking to the first quarter of 2025.
The North Hills location of Standard is owned by DeRamus, Holmes and Blake Thompson.
Standard Beer + Food opened on Franklin Street near Raleigh’s Mordecai neighborhood and Person Street Corridor in 2020, led by co-owners Andy Schnitzer and Whit Baker along with five other partners. The restaurant and brewery revived the handsome space that had once been acclaimed but short-lived restaurants by chefs Scott Crawford and then Eric Montagne, each under the Standard Foods name and owned by building landlord John Holmes.
Standard Beer + Food menu
Standard Beer + Food represented a major shift for the brand, focusing on simple, perfected beers and thoughtful drinking food. The stars of the tap list are crispy hopped pilsners and IPAs and the food menu includes one of the Triangle’s great smashburgers, plus plates of tater tots with truffle aioli and a lineup of tacos.
The new Standard Beer + Food will have a vastly different menu than the original, bringing in sourdough pizzas cooked in a wood-burning oven, plus salads and other dishes, DeRamus said in a phone interview. He said the Innovation District location led the owners of Standard to try and think creatively.
“The food program is altogether different; it got us thinking of play off of fermentation” DeRamus said. “This is the Innovation District, so we want to have that innovative touch....The new location will share the same name but the concept will be a little different.”
On the beer side, DeRamus said the new location will focus more on Italian-style lagers and pilsners, but that no brewing will be done on-site.
Part of Standard’s success in Raleigh has been its popular backyard space, which offers beergarden vibes for much of the year. The North Hills location looks to build on that reputation with its giant outdoor space within the $1 billion Innovation District expansion.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have Standard join the North Hills Innovation District,” said Stacey Buescher, managing director of operations for Kane Realty in a release.
“Local businesses are the backbone of thriving communities, and Standard’s presence will undoubtedly infuse NHID with a vibrant energy. We believe in fostering a community that values innovation, local flavor, and collaboration, and Standard exemplifies these ideals. Their commitment to sourcing locally and creating a unique beer and food experience aligns seamlessly with the vision we have for NHID as a dynamic hub where technology, life sciences, and entrepreneurship converge. We look forward to the positive impact Standard will make in enhancing the overall experience for everyone who visits NHID.”
